The Edinburgh Conference Centre is the purpose-designed conference facility in the heart of Heriot Watt University's Edinburgh campus. Located on the edge of Edinburgh city centre with 380 acres of landscaped gardens, woodland walks and a loch.

Rich in nature, wildlife and art, the conference centre is yours to explore. With history, landscape, tree, bird and art trails just waiting to be discovered.

History
Heriot-Watt University is the eighth oldest higher education institution in the UK. From its groundbreaking origins in 1821 as the Edinburgh School of Arts, the first Mechanics Institute to give ordinary people access to education in science and technology. The Watt Institution was a pioneer of equal opportunities, with female students being welcomed as early as 1869, 20 years ahead of other institutions.

The name Heriot-Watt commemorates two iconic champions of innovation, enterprise and education. In 1852 the School bought its own building with money raised by a campaign to build an Edinburgh monument to celebrate the achievements of James Watt (1736-1819), the pioneer of steam power. In his honour, the School changed its name to the Watt Institution and School of Arts. In 1885, a trust bequeathed by George Heriot (1563-1623), financier and benefactor of education in his native Edinburgh, assured the institution’s future.

In 1966 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second granted the Governors of Heriot-Watt College a Royal Charter to found a University. Three years later, Midlothian Council’s gift of the parkland estate at Riccarton, south west Edinburgh, allowed the University to expand on a new purpose built campus. In 1998 the University merged with the Scottish College of Textiles, Galashiels, an institution with its own century long tradition of excellence in specialist education.

Today, Heriot-Watt University is internationally renowned for its innovative education, enterprise and leading-edge research. With campuses in Scotland and Dubai and home to Europe's first Research Park